Friday, June 5, 2015

Feature Friday: Kim Lane with Home Birth Midwifery Service

I am so excited to feature our first midwife on the blog today! Kim is an incredibly skilled midwife who recently moved to Utah. She blew in like a breath of fresh air and leaves a little magic in her step. I can't wait for you to get to know her. I know you'll fall in love!Meet Kim

I recently have begun a collaboration with Angie Blackett and Maria Cranford to open a birth suite in Draper. We will be making an official announcement about that venture VERY

soon!

I am the mother of four grown children and just recently became a first time Grandmother. I had the privilege and blessing of catching my own Granddaughter on May 20th!

I am 53 years old (yes, really). Aquarius and born in the Chinese Year of the Tiger. I am an Army Brat, born in California and raised across the U.S. from coast to coast. I have lived in,
visited, or traveled to 36 of the 50 states and have vacationed in Canada and the Bahamas as well.

I am a true "Girlie Girl" and a consummate Diva (if you cut me, I bleed red glitter). I have a pretty awesome collection of stiletto heels. I love EVERYTHING glitzy and glamorous.

I love Italian food, chocolate (which is its own food group), computer and smartphone technology, Lady Gaga (she is a genius!), and fashion. As a Midwife, I am an equal balance of
holistic and evidence-based care provider. I am "crunchy" on the inside while conveying a professional approach on the outside.

Q: What are the benefits of a midwifery model of care?

A: By definition, The Midwives Model of Care™ is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing,

hands-on care before, during, and after birth.

Midwives are health care professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth, who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in confident, supported labor and birth. While there are different types of midwives practicing in various settings, all midwives are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns.

The Midwives Model of Care™ is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The Midwives Model of Care includes:

* monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle,

*providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support,

*minimizing technological interventions, and

*identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.

The application of this model has been proven to reduce to incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

Q: What would you tell a newly pregnant mom who is searching for a care provider?

A: I would encourage her to do loads of research first on the type of care she desires and the modality of birth she wants. These two points will help her decide which model of care she
should consider. Her risk factors, if any, also are key points in her consideration. If she desires a natural birth with a very personalized mode of care, wherein she and her partner play key roles in decision-making, then working with a midwife or group of midwives is in her best interest. Her desired PLACE of birth then factors in to WHICH midwife(ves) to hire.

I would explain to any woman thinking about a out-of-hospital birth, realize that home and birth suite/center birth are basically the SAME thing. There is no higher level of safety between the two places, except when considering WHERE your home or birth suite/center is in relation to the hospital in regards to a transfer due to complication or emergency. Women should ask and confirm that the midwife can legally carry and administer medications, is CPR and NRP (Neonatal resuscitation) certified (check to be sure her renewals are current), and brings a qualified (CPR & NPR certified) assistant or second midwife to the birth.

Training and experience are a key factor for women planning to have a baby, especially first time mothers who obviously don't have any of their own experience to turn to. Having the care and attendance of an experienced birth attendant is a valuable asset, particularly with out-of-hospital birth. Ask for both client and professional references and then actually check them out.
Find out if she is licensed and if so, is her license current/expired/suspended/revoked? Check as to whether there are any complaints or judgments on her record. If she is not licensed (legal to practice without a license in Utah), check her out on the internet, "GOOGLE" her and
investigate her practice. What kinds of reviews does she/her practice have on Yelp, Merchant Circle, Yellow/Super Pages, etc...

And finally, consider VERY carefully how MONEY factors into your decision. Too many people are choosing their care provider solely based on "the bottom line" because finances are tight or the family is under or uninsured. I have never understood this rationale in relation to maternity/newborn care. Today, people spend much more time and decision-making effort on their cell phone plan or on the purchase of a car than they do on the selection of their midwife and the QUALITY of the health care for both mother and baby! While out-of-hospital midwifery care is relatively inexpensive compared to paying out-of-pocket for physician/hospital care, comparing midwife to midwife services can be like comparing Apples to Oranges. Women should be SURE to understand ALL the services, products, inclusions, and exclusions that each midwife is offering. Just because her fee is "cheaper" does NOT mean its the BEST offer. Remember that "You Get What You PAY For" so if you choose CHEAP, that

is exactly what you are getting. Be careful and do your own diligent search and investigation of each midwife your interview.

Q: Many people do not know that midwives are prepared for emergency situations. Would you please elaborate on the training, tools, and expertise that goes into managing those rare occasions?

A: While it is true that midwives are basically and generally "prepared for emergency situations" it is still important to understand that education, training, skills, and experience are key factors that come into play when having discussions about emergencies and safety. This is why women need to ASK questions about a midwife's training & skills! Being able to manage a hemorrhage or resuscitate a baby are essential skills. And her merely answering "Yes I can" to your question ISN'T an adequate answer! The midwife should be able to comprehensively answer the questions related to her training, skills, and experience with the management of obstetrical emergencies. She should carry the requisite equipment to monitor the mother and baby while in labor, to manage a hemorrhage, and to resuscitate a baby. Women need to KNOW that Unlicensed midwives are NOT ALLOWED to carry or administer emergency medications (prescription drugs) except oxygen, such as Pitocin, Methergine, or Misoprostol (for postpartum hemorrhage), antibiotics (for Group B Strep treatment in labor), I.V. (for dehydration, hemorrhage, or shock), etc. Thus having a Licensed Midwife (LDEM) in attendance is a overarching safety consideration for women planning an out-of-hospital birth. Consider that postpartum hemorrhage is the #ONE cause of maternal death around world and that is primarily because of three factors:

Thus, the education, training, skill, experience AND credentials of the midwife are ALL factors that should be considered when hiring a midwife.

Q: What do you want young girls to grow up knowing about their bodies?

A: Seek out great mentors, other strong and powerful women from which to gain words and pearls of wisdom & knowledge. Be PROUD of who you are and learn EVERYTHING you can about EVERYTHING! You are capable of SO MUCH more than just your own small space in which you stand. BE BOLD... EXPLORE! GO TO COLLEGE or TECH/TRADE SCHOOL!! BE YOUR OWN PERSON BEFORE YOU CREATE OTHER PEOPLE YOURSELF!!! Being a mother is wonderful and lovely, but to be the very best mother, you must BE YOURSELF FIRST!

You are divinely created to give birth! Your body is intrinsically designed to create, grow, birth, feed and nurture your babies! There is NOTHING to fear about birth. LEARN about the biology of the human body and especially the female body! It is an amazing design of bio mechanics, chemistry, and spirituality. There is indeed a mind-body-spirit connection which each young girl should foster and nurture in her own discovery of her self and her uniqueness!

Q: Favorite way to relax after a birth?

A: BUBBLE BATH... MASSAGE...SLEEP...

Thank you so much Kim! I especially enjoyed your message of empowerment to young girls. I do believe that if those were the words our girls were raised on, the women of this society would revolutionize the birthing industry. I look forward to working side by side to do just that!

1 comment:

Thank you, Kasaundra, for asking me for this interview! I am excited to be here in the SL valley of Utah and very ready to get busy catching babies! Those interested in comprehensive, concierge-style in-home midwifery services should contact me ASAP!

Welcome to our little corner of the internet! My name is Kasaundra Trout and I am a birth doula with Eden's Roots LLC. I have a husband, 3 children, and a passion for helping women in one of the most pivotal moments of their lives.